acids and bases?

Question

how do you know if something is an acid or a base? how do you distinguish the two?

I understand about the pH, but i'm just wondering how i would differenciate between an acid and a base when given (ex) "H2P04" form. like, if i were given a list of a bunch of acids, bases, or neutrals, how would i decide what is an acid/base/etc

thanks!

Answer 1

Normally in a lab, you will try to differentiate them through a pH test. Something acidic would give you a pH that is lower than 7 and alkaline would give you something that is above 7. Depending on the indicator given, you should be able to distinguish that.

If you are at home and like to test it out, I would recommend you to dilute the solution and then pour a little on your hand. If it is an alkaline or a base, it should be quite slippery like your soap. Acid wise, it should be still a little crossive and you should feel a little pain.

Another way would be to taste it but that would be too dangerous. Anyway, if it is an acid, it should be sour, alkaline would be bitter.

Edit: I see what you are driving at, H2PO4 in this case is acidic because of the H+ property that it has like what the other guys had already mentioned. You can trying in the form of an ionic form like 2H+ + PO42-, you should be able to tell if that compound contains the H+ ion. Hope that helps.

Answer 2

To distinguish between an acid and a base you only need to look at the cehemical equasion. Acids can be denoted by the presence of the Hydrogen atom. Anything(exept H20) with a Hydrogen out infront as the positive ion such as H2SO4(sulfuric acid) or HCL (Hydrocloric Acid) is an acid. Most bases contain OH ( Hydroxide). When given LiOH, NaOH, KOH, and Ca(OH)2 you can be sure that all of those are bases.

Answer 3

i want to preface my answer by telling u that u can email me with any other questions. it is difficult to answer all 3 questions, but ill try. 1. we see that H3O+ is the strongest acid, because water is a very very weak base. thye conjugate of a strong acid is a weak base. the stronger the acid, the weaker its conjugate. the stronger the base, the weaker its conjugate. 2. I know for almost sure that B(OH)3 is an ACID. in general, all nonmetal OH's are acids. if u rearrange this formula, u get H3BO3. i'm going to say D. 3. to find the pH of a weak acid, u take the square root of Ka x Molarity. since all molarities are 1, take the square root of all of the Ka's and take the negative log of what u got. and the closest one to 7 is the winner. it should be the NH4+ i hope this helps.

Answer 4

are many ways, if the ph is into 0-7 it is an acid if is into 7-14 is a base, if you put a base or acid with oxigen, it will makes an oxid, of the oxid is acid and you add watter it makes an acid, but if the oxid is basic, and you add watter ir will makes a salt

Answer 5

technically- an acid can always DONATE a proton(hydrated), while a base can always ACCEPT a proton. If you see an equation, just look for whether it wants to give or recieve a proton for your clue as to which one it is :)

everyday- you should know an acid from a base from having eaten most things. Milk, for instance, is a base (hence it helping with hearburn, which is an acid)

Answer 6

If it gives off an H+ ion in water it is an acid If it gives off an OH- ion in water it is a base

Answer 7

Acids have H O atoms on the end of it....example H2O water is the least corrosive acid

Answer 8

an acid is a substance that liberates hydrogen ions into the solution.A base is a substance that liberates OH ions into the solution.

Answer 9

there are many explanations & types of acids and bases

arrhenius concept:

acids are H+ ion donors
e.g. HCl,H2SO4

bases are OH- ion donors
e.g.NaOH,KOH

lewis concept:

acids are lone pair(of electrons) acceptors
e.g. AlCl3,BF3

bases are lone pair donors
e.g. H2O as it has lone pair on oxygen atom,NH3

Answer 10

weak electrolyte=base strong electrolyte= acid. Sorry best I can do